Keeping a Sound Mind

First, there is no peace for the wicked. If you have not repented of your sins and placed a submitting faith in Jesus Christ for salvation—and if you are not daily denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Him; you will not have a sound mind! If this is you, start at the beginning. If you’ve fallen away from the LORD, go back to the beginning.

Christians:

Your trust must be in Jesus ALONE (not in a church, pastor, spouse, or friend). Go to Him. He is the Vine, and without Him you can do nothing!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psa. 27:1

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. I John 4:4

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

What should we meditate on?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Phil 4:8

God gives a sound mind to His children:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

We are in a spiritual battle every day. We must use our spiritual weapons (Word of God and prayer/fasting) and bring EVERY thought into obedience to Jesus:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:3-5

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12

We must use our minds to love the LORD Jesus (not self):

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matt. 22:37

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph 5:17

We have the ability to “set our minds” where we want to, and we must CHOOSE to set them on things above:

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Col. 3:2-4

It is up to us to “gird up the loins of our mind” and trust Jesus. We can’t go into battle with our vulnerable parts (our minds) unprotected:

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Pet. 1:13

We must BELIEVE that Jesus will take care of us. It is not enough to say we believe. Our actions must prove that we trust Him:

I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Tim. 1:12

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Focus on Jesus, hold fast, and endure!

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:14-16

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For CONSIDER HIM who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. Heb. 12:1-4

Keep your spiritual armor on and HOLD YOUR GROUND. STAND. Notice at the end of this passage, you are to “be watchful with all perseverance with all supplication for all the saints.” When you are feeling sorry for yourself and not holding our ground, you are not able to strengthen your family members who need you.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Eph. 6:10-18

We can and must have our minds RENEWED (by the Word of God):

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom. 12:1-2

..Be RENEWED in the spirit of your mind…Eph. 4:23

…And have put on the new man who is RENEWED in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. Col. 3:10

For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. I Cor. 2:16

We MUST consider our lives crucified with Christ, and we must REFUSE to walk after the flesh (our own ideas, desires, impulses, emotions, etc.)

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom 8:6

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal. 2:20

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Prov. 3:5-6

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:17

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

When anxious, we must learn to wait patiently upon the LORD.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isa. 40:31

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thess. 5:16-18

Remember what our afflictions are doing for us spiritually!

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor. 4:8-10

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:16-18

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom. 8:28

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:8-10

If you are convicted of sin, be earnest and REPENT. Stop doing it. Ask God for forgiveness. Believe His Word:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Then move on! His mercies are new every morning, and there is no condemnation to those who are IN Christ Jesus, who do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1). If you’ve repented and are currently not following your flesh, further condemnation is from the evil one. Pay no heed at all to that liar!

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee; The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26